‘Mockingbird’ still sings strong in Thomaston

BY JOANNE GRECO ROCHMAN | REPUBLICAN-AMERICANBobbie Celine Doherty as Scout and Josiah P. Rowe as Atticus Finch shine in Landmark Community Theatre’s production of “To Kill A Mockingbird,” which continues this weekend at the Thomaston Opera House. Contributed

Having attended an early morning production filled with high school students, I could see clearly early on that this show, directed by the multitalented and insightful director Lucia Dressel, was going to be a smash hit. Why? There wasn’t a peep out of the spellbound audience.

In her pre-show welcome, Dressel asked how many in the audience had read the book. Every hand went up. What was even more telling was that after the show as I walked out with the students, one young man near me told his friend, “That was way better than the book.”

His friend responded with “That was way better than the movie.”Ahh, live theater done well can’t be beat!

Although morning productions for the many schools are packing the opera house, plenty of evening performances are available for adults.

Actually, this is such a perfect family event that parents and youngsters should see it together.

It’s an eye-opening experience showing how devastating the loss of innocence can be. It’s also about tolerance, justice, and love of family. It actually brought tears to my eyes.

That’s not to say that this is a tear jerker; it is filled with lighthearted youthful moments that stir up memories that make your soul smile. Whether alone or with others, no matter your age, see this production.

The director and her cast are phenomenal. I don’t review children, but the ones in this show are exceptional. All I can say is that Bobbie Celine Doherty plays cute tomboyish Scout and Bobbie’s name is one to remember. We’ll see it in lights one day. Ben Stone-Zelman’s passion will never be depleted and will pour over many an audience and Lucas Peck will be a sterling study in steadfastness.

As for the adults, Josiah P. Rowe as Atticus Finch is a natural. His ease in the role defies affectation. Dianna Waller is pure pleasure to listen to, while Jim Doherty (Yes, Bobbie’s dad) plays such a mean and miserable Bob Ewell that we see where Bobbie gets her talent from. Olivia Lanteri plays Mayella Ewell, the young white woman who accuses a black man of raping her. Lanteri’s performance is nothing short of mesmerizing.

This is a large cast but every member of this ensemble delivers the goods handsomely. Janette D. Scott as Calpurnia, Peter Bard as Boo Radley, Justin Henry as Tom Robinson, and Heck Tate played by Lou Guertin do a fine job. Also contributing to the success of this show are: Erik Wilczak, Michael Scott, Mike Riley, Cathy Annulli, Shanelle Dupre, Tyler White, Grace Carpenter, Doug De Sousa, Benjamin Dressel, Gavin Kavanaugh, and Ava Piotrowski.

In addition to this outstanding cast are the members of the production team who accented the action in all the right places. Tina Parziale was lighting designer; Evan Seide was the scenic designer. Seide’s set is lush with color and texture. There’s not a spot on stage where there’s not a point of interest. Yet director Dressel smartly chose to keep a singular set and Seide designed it so that it covered every possible action.

Kate Luurtsema was the costume designer and it’s as if she created the characters’ skin and waited for the actors to jump in. Aaron Westcott was sound designer and every cue was spot on, whether a thunderstorm, a car approaching or a bird chirping. Chet Ostroski was the fight choreographer who had all the guys in the audience cheering the onstage fight.

Sometimes, only superlatives will do. This show deserves waves of ovations.

It plays through March 25. You don’t want to miss it.

Joanne Greco Rochman was a founding member of the Connecticut Critics Circle and is currently an active member of the American Theatre Critics Association.